Unlike most charities which supply clothing, food and shelter, Dramatic Need wants to give the children of South Africa a creative outlet and voice through art. By sending UK-based actors, musicians and artists to teach workshops in various art forms, the charity believes that children will be “better able to cope with poverty, malnutrition and disease.”

“We try to give them a voice of their own and a way to communicate what they’re going through that they don’t find threatening,” said founder Amber Sainsbury. “We give them the means to express what they feel in very underprivileged parts of the world.”

“I want to go down there and actually help out,” added Hartnett. “It’s fun for an actor to be able to do something that’s not for publicity, but actually go down and do something hands-on. It allows the kids to be children. It allows them to be creative and have a good time for a little portion of their day, which I think is necessary.”

Model Helena Christensen also likes the idea. “I think it’s a very worthy cause. I think it’s a beautiful thing to do for children in Africa. It’s a good chance to give children who are living in difficult circumstances the chance to develop mentally.”

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